A recent report by the Department of Housing and Urban Development estimated that approximately 40,000 Veterans are currently homeless. To combat homelessness, individuals all over the United States are finding unique, grassroots solutions to secure housing for the Veterans in their communities.
In New Jersey, home to nearly 600 homeless veterans, the American Legion Post 107 of Hoboken is holding auctions and selling tickets to raise funds for a new housing complex. This facility will offer vital resources, housing, and support to Veterans in the community. It will also be the first housing complex ever built by an American Legion post.
The Hampton VA Medical Center, recently worked with the Hampton Military Affairs Committee to host a “homeless stand down” to provide Veterans with housing assistance. The event offered a variety of services such as medical assistance, legal services, hot meals, and even haircuts. VA facilities across the country hold similar events each year.
Across the country in San Francisco, a new 70-unit housing complex named the “Auburn Hotel” was opened to provide permanent housing to homeless Veterans. Local groups including nonprofits and faith-based organizations are teaming up to offer housing and other assistance to Veterans. The Auburn Hotel is the fourth permanent unit in San Francisco to be opened within the last year.
The 90 Works Program, based in Florida, one of the states that saw a decrease in the number of homeless Veterans in 2017, is a growing nonprofit committed to helping Veterans become self-sufficient and secure affordable housing. The goal of the 90 Works Program is to help individuals become self-sufficient in just 90 days.
Communities are working harder to provide housing to Veterans as the winter approaches. The Holiday season has traditionally shown a significant increase in donations to charities, a trend that will hopefully provide assistance to organizations committed to combating Veteran homelessness. There are many organizations based all over the United States that are always in need of donations and volunteers.
To learn more about what you or your local community can do, visit VA’s website committed to ending Veteran Homelessness.
Adam Druckman is a junior at Middlebury College studying political science. He is currently a digital media intern at the Department of Veteran’s Affairs.”
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I recognize Kenneth R. Boone Sr. Gysgt (Ret.) for
21 years of faithful service and now has continued mentoring and being a leader in our communities. Gysgt continues to help veterans in every climb and place (true Marine). He serves veterans providing holistic services and direction. Although he experiences severe trauma, he presses his way to share w all. A real trooper who only desire is to help someone. Now that’s a veteran who served during three wars who has enough courage to be a mentor to all, not just Marines. My friend and buddy.
Hi my name is John. I’m a homeless veteran whom just seemed shelter with partner (address redacted) barstow who is in need of household goods, food clothing, tools. Computer, anything my be a blessing. Love you all for your service John Anthony avila marine. AMO LOVE
I hope that this is a good solution for these people
i am telling you from experiance that there are at least 25 times your numbers reported of homeless veterans on the streets you are just not finding them because most of them are not staying in missions or shelters so thetre numbers can’t be counted
Thank you for your care and assistance for me. I was diagnosed with cancer in October of 2016. I received surgery, treatment and other post-op care since then. I have been treated by the VA healthcare system in Montgomery, & Tuskegee Alabama, and Decatur Georgia since 1997. I praise the Lord, and THANK YOU. My brother, who lives in Indiana, benefitted from your homeless veteran program. THANK YOU again, for helping him as well. I appreciate what you are doing, and have done, to HELP us. God bless all of you.
Kathy Bush, disabled veteran.
p.s. I am a real person. This is NOT a made up comment. Just in case someone was wondering. I KNOW life is NOT PERFECT. I have experienced LIFE for 54 years, and CANCER, ETC, to KNOW that. ALL of you have experienced MUCH as well. May GOD BLESS ALL OF MY FELLOW VETERANS AS WELL. (I’m not yelling, the capital letters are for emphasis, not anger).
The VA is great helping us.too bad there are so many non profits are allowed to profit off of us with their so called ideas for vets. I love in a ratty old mobile home ,I got lucky,space heater and all,most look at you like trash because the methies that live around here, I love the help ,since after working all my life after the army,I now have half a working heart and ,heat and air poisons .. I never used my benifits, credit .. WOW ..banks no help, never thought how crooked the real world was, maybe most besides the drugs,,need just help getting a home as promised .if I had one I would move as many vets. In as I could ..but no help just getting a place .cause credit .what a joke losing rich bankers,most just scam to steal your money ….scams to use vets to build to steal and make money WOW….Don tilligkeit
MERRY XMAS VA. THANK YOU FOR CARING ABOUT US SO MUCH. I AM VERY GRATEFUL TO ALL OF THE VA FOR BEING THERE FOR US..THANK YOU. GOD BLESS YOU!
From what we see on the streets, there are many veterans and we don’t know how many of them are for real. In any case, all of them should be helped. Every city needs a budget to house these people and give them jobs. Problems is, a job doesn’t allow them to pay rent, food and live. A job these days can hardly keep you from getting in debt.